Use of web and mobile device technologies in the management of childhood asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review is to assess the use of support tools for children with asthma, based on web and mobile device technologies, and their impact on asthma control.

METHOD

This is a systematic review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual. The research question defined by the PICO strategy was: ''What are the effects of web-based and mobile device support tools on asthma control in children?'' The search was conducted in the Medline (via PubMed), SciELO, and Embase databases between October and December 2023, with completion in July 2024.

RESULTS

The systematic review analyzed 388 articles and selected 4 studies on technologies for managing asthma in children. The studies showed that mobile apps and electronic monitoring improve asthma control, treatment adherence, and caregivers' quality of life. The meta-analysis showed a mean increase in Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores of 2.73 (95 % CI: 1.95, 3.51) with P < 0.0001, indicating a significant improvement in asthma control scores, highlighting the effectiveness of these technologies.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that digital tools, such as web technologies and mobile devices, can significantly improve the management of childhood asthma, as reflected by an increase in Asthma Control Test (ACT) scores. Despite limitations, the findings are promising. Future research is needed to strengthen the evidence and guide clinical practice in pediatric asthma management.